Conley: Gay Marriage Swing Vote?

An East Providence state senator in his first term has been named as one of 10 people who could decide the fate of same-sex marriage in Rhode Island.

William Conley Jr. (D-18) is listed in a story in golocalprov.com as one of the 10 key votes because of his appointment to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Indeed, he is described as a "potential swing vote," according to the story.

The same-sex marriage debate kicks off today, Jan. 15, when the House Judiciary Committee takes up the bill that would allow same-gender couples to marry and change the definition of civil unions to marriages.

Conley is seen as one of the biggest question marks because he has not stated his preference on this issue.  A colleague said in the golocalprov.com story that Conley opposed gay marriage two years ago, and his district in East Providence and Pawtucket is identified as heavily Catholic.

But Conley reportedly is still making up his mind on the controversial bill, which has been targeted for defeat by a new group made up of religious leaders, the “Faith Alliance to Preserve the Sanctity of Marriage as Established by God.” The group is expected to be at the State House today.